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JohnBlog - Word&LightSample
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JohnBlog - Word&Light Day 8
Darkness is not equal to light. It is the absence of light. Light is not the absence of darkness. Visible light has measurable physical properties: mysteriously it behaves as both waves and particles. Physical darkness is the absence of electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum. Spiritual darkness is the absence of the personal essence at the heart of all created things. The absence of the Spirit of the Christ. The absence of the communication of God.
The spiritual Light that shines in the darkness, in this sense, is a metaphor (a picture). On the other hand, it is as real as physical light. You don’t need scientific experiments to reveal the effects of spiritual Light. Relationships, families, businesses, societies and economies work better – are happier, more productive and more sustainable – when truth, trust, kindness and forgiveness tend to prevail as core values. Modern management science tells a follower of Christ the obvious – high-powered leadership-training workshops are full of encouragements to behave like Christ. The trainers may not see it that way – but that’s the wonder of it: in searching scientifically for ways of making human society more efficient and enjoyable, management scientists, psychologists and organizational gurus tap down into the behavioral DNA of the human being and naturally find God principles at work.
The Disciple:
There is no greater source of joy, Jesus, than dwelling in the light. Abiding, resting, bathing in thoughts of those qualities that help make up a man's image of you. The essence of Jesus: love, joy, peace, self-control, kindness, meekness, forgivingness, and patience. I feel purer when I abide in such thoughts. They energize me; cleanse me; inspire me to nobility. They define nobility for me and point me in a direction that is wholly satisfying, healing and affirming. When I am lost, I read your words and am found. When my eyes are heavy with weariness, I look into yours and step out of the dark cloud into the bright day.
Like the sun above a heavy dark sky, you are always there. Sometimes, merely calling out your name parts the darkness. At other times, bringing to mind some past event or conversation or thought gilded with the glory of pure love or pure kindness or perfect peace is enough to bring a burst of joy, as the light of heaven wraps itself around me.
Darkness is not equal to light. It is the absence of light. Light is not the absence of darkness. Visible light has measurable physical properties: mysteriously it behaves as both waves and particles. Physical darkness is the absence of electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum. Spiritual darkness is the absence of the personal essence at the heart of all created things. The absence of the Spirit of the Christ. The absence of the communication of God.
The spiritual Light that shines in the darkness, in this sense, is a metaphor (a picture). On the other hand, it is as real as physical light. You don’t need scientific experiments to reveal the effects of spiritual Light. Relationships, families, businesses, societies and economies work better – are happier, more productive and more sustainable – when truth, trust, kindness and forgiveness tend to prevail as core values. Modern management science tells a follower of Christ the obvious – high-powered leadership-training workshops are full of encouragements to behave like Christ. The trainers may not see it that way – but that’s the wonder of it: in searching scientifically for ways of making human society more efficient and enjoyable, management scientists, psychologists and organizational gurus tap down into the behavioral DNA of the human being and naturally find God principles at work.
The Disciple:
There is no greater source of joy, Jesus, than dwelling in the light. Abiding, resting, bathing in thoughts of those qualities that help make up a man's image of you. The essence of Jesus: love, joy, peace, self-control, kindness, meekness, forgivingness, and patience. I feel purer when I abide in such thoughts. They energize me; cleanse me; inspire me to nobility. They define nobility for me and point me in a direction that is wholly satisfying, healing and affirming. When I am lost, I read your words and am found. When my eyes are heavy with weariness, I look into yours and step out of the dark cloud into the bright day.
Like the sun above a heavy dark sky, you are always there. Sometimes, merely calling out your name parts the darkness. At other times, bringing to mind some past event or conversation or thought gilded with the glory of pure love or pure kindness or perfect peace is enough to bring a burst of joy, as the light of heaven wraps itself around me.
Scripture
About this Plan
A meditation on John inspired by the 15th Century devotional ‘Imitation of Christ.’ In 2011 Chris Webster, a professor with positions at Hong Kong and Cambridge Universities, awoke from a 4 day coma. He started writing ...
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